How to be a Steampunk Cowboy for Halloween

Step 1: Do your research.  An infallible and encyclopedic resource is The Look of the Old West by William Foster-Harris.  You should also consult I See by Your Outfit: Historic Cowboy Gear of the Northern Plains by Tom Lindmier and of course Vintrowear’s own Get Your Old West On: Real Cowboys and the Shirts They Wore.

Step 2: Get in the mood.  I find that Cowboys & Longhorns: A Portrait of the Long Drive by Jerry Stanley will do the trick.  As will Hillbilly Hollywood by Debby Bull for the bling quotient.  Also anything on Wild Bill Hickok.

Step 3: Start building your costume.  Refer to your Foster-Harris frequenty.  To whit, the big picture:

 

And don’t forget the details:
      

Step 4: Get yourself a good shirt.





Step 5: Party down like these people.

Happy almost Halloween month!

Vintrowear’s Halloween picks from Topshop

Claw Bodycon Dress

Embellished Cobweb Cami Top

Vinyl Calf Skater Skirt

Zombie Tee By Tee And Cake

Lace Body Suit

And of course the most awesome, but of course most no longer available:

Skeleton Bodycon Dress in Gray

Halloween Window Shopping

The governing fantasy is that Vintrowear will begin selling vintage costume apparel beginning Halloween 2014.  Since current resources are applied toward cowboy shirt acquisition and sales, our buyer made purchases from Vice Versa Vintage, only in her imagination.  Our imaginary 2013 Fall Collection would have included:

Orange taffeta maxi skirt, aka Pumpkin Lady

Handmade acqua and gold gown with ruffled collar and empire waist, aka Mermaid

Handmade yellow chiffon maxi dress, aka Little Bo Peep

Turquoise sequined cocktail dress, aka … ? something from the sea!

Blue sequined plus size 1980s gown, aka Trans-Gender Mermaid

Multi-colored tasseled maxi skirt, aka Gypsy Rainbow Lady!

Beautiful handmade burgundy velvet maxi dress with silver braid, aka Medieval Lady

Red ruched cocktail dress with puff skirt and sleeves that ate Manhatta, aka Fairy, Little Red Riding Hood, Santa’s Elf, etc. etc.

Cheongsam made of fuschia novelty fabric, aka… a fish called Wanda? something anime?

Lime green ruffled tuxedo blouse, plus size, aka Sgt. Pepper, Leprechaun, Band Leader, Clown

Blue and black sequined flamenco skirt, aka Gypsy Queen, Carmen Miranda

Yellow and green floral chiffon maxi gown, aka Forest Fairy, Wood Nymph

Purple and silver sequined gown, aka Circus Performer

Rose satin party dress, aka Pin Up Girl